Shoe-bottom-filling machine



A ril 26 1927'.

p N. J. WESTHAVER sHoE BOTTOM FILLING MACHINE Filed Jul i 1924 3 Sheets-,Sheet 1 SNE April ze, 1927. 1,626,511

N. J. wEsTHAvl-:R

SHOE BOTTOM FILLING MACHINE l Filed July 1. 1924 s sheets-Sheet 2 wiwi I -IIIIIIIILV .F-I -----..i IIIIIII- I I III- -Uv\`.. 1 l l l I l l I l I Il 'Ik \\\\\\\\n\ R n1..

April 26 1927. 1,626,571

N. J. wEs'rHAvER vSHOE BOTTOM FILLING MACHINE Filed July 1, 1924 l s sheets-stie 3 ggf@ Patented pr. 26, 1927.

Fl y,

' NORMAN J. WESTIIAVER, OF CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO GEORGE II.

Y MAXVELL, OF PHOENIX, ARIZONA.

SEOE-BOTTOM-FILLING MACHINE.

Application tiled July 1, 1924. Serial No. 723,574.y

This is an improvement on the type ot shoe-bottom filling machine shown in the application of George l-i.v Maxwell 560,80() (original tiled September 14, 1921) and 656,496 tiled August 9, 1923, which are now respectively Patents 1,512,229 and 1,558,699. Referring particularly to the latter, it has been found diiiicult in practice to get theproper feed level for the water. Also, in starting the machine in the mornin'g in the shoe tactory, the sudden high heat tends to cause the water to blow out or liow back from the steam generator and overtiow'the cup or water seal 29 in one direction and to torce out the collected condensation in a flood in the opposite direction into the reservoir, thereby flooding the iiller with water instead of steam. Accordingly the present invention aims to remove the foregoing three diiiiculties besides introducing further advantageasueh as providing improved heat distribution, Vpreventing the stoppage ot water tiow by theV steamV pressure in the generator and insuring water circulation, preventing the tendency to form a steam pocket with explosions or pounding, facilitating the cleaning out ot' sediment, obviating the liability of the boiler warping and cracking, avoiding the warping ot' the work-basin, and other advantages which will appear in the course or' the rollowing description.

The embodiment of the invention herein shown especially adapts the machine to electricity, a radiant orvopen electric unit being preferably provided.

In the drawings in which I have shown the preferred embodiment F ig. 1 is a longitudinal vertical section, parts being broken away; Fig. 2 is a view partly in top plan, broken away, and partly in horizontal section; Fig. 3 is a rear elevation, the water supply tank and contained parts being omitted; and Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail in side elevation and partly in section ot a portion of the boiler or `steam generator.

VIn the preferred embodiment of my invention I employ substantially the same work-basin, herein designated as 1, as in the before mentioned application Serial No. 656,496, (Patent 1,558,699) reservoir 2, heat radiators or fiues 3 dry lheat chamber 4 providing a heat jacket 5 extending around the reservoir and a jacket 6 around the Work-basin, the aforesaid apparatus having its base or bottom plate 7 mounted on the upper end of a pedestal 8. Also in practice .Y

the machine has'the same inclined shelf, roll and knife block as in said application, but

not herein shown. tially the` same water tank 9 as in said appli- At the rear is subst-ancation, having an internal air pipe 10 exy tending into a Water cup or water seal 11 for the delivery thereinto of water through any suitable pipe lor outlet, herein shown as a pet cock 12, said tank being pivoted at 13 on brackets 14 secured at 15 adjustably if desired by set'screws 16 at the backl or' the machine, Fig. 3. The pivotl is back far enough to insure stability against accidental tipping, Vto eliminate the necessity of a. latch or lock to hold it upright, to permit tree swinging over clear of the reservoir for filling purposes, and to give strength of bracing, while'holding the tank against removal or against being liftedV 0H'. Besides the aforesaid advantages, the pivoting of the tank, as distinguished from being either fixed or bodily and directly removable, permits automatic constructions used in this type of shoe-bottom iilling machine. Vhen inverted, the tank 9 is lilled through `the opening or filling closure 90, the cap-91 being tirstunscrewed, but the tank is always otherwise closed except for vthe air inlet pipe 10 Whose lower sealed end in the cupll determines the water level ot ,the automatic delivery, and` except for the pet cock v12 or stand 27 and at its vfront end secured to Y the back side 28 of a removable switch and switch box29. This unit and its connections are the same as in the last mentioned application excepting-thaty they are inclined as shown best in Fig. 1 for a purposev which will presently be described. The boiler or steam generator 24 consists ot a transverse pipe header or water container 30 and-.a

plurality of separate pipes, three thereoi being herein shown and marked in Fig. 2

as 24, 24a, 24" respectively screwed into theA header at their forward ends and into oblique elbows 3l at their upper ends whence smaller pipes 32 lead vup to a relatively large Lil transverse 'distributor "pipe or' 'steam collector and distributor 33. From the vsteam distributor pipe `33V extend individual steam discharge pipes 34 discharging into the respective tlues 3 and securedby a steam tight joint by any suitable means as by nuts 35 to the back 35 of the flue and the adjacent inclined back 37 ot the reservoir.V The pipe 33 is preferably slightly inclined trom hori- :fontal 4as best shown in Fin'. 3 and at its lower er ic'lt hand end as there shown has i V a small outlet pipe 33 4connected-by an elbow 39 and nipple 40V to the vertical pipe 2O .whose Ylower end a niud Vdrum or cup-lill to collect sediment `is provided having a clean-out capA 4-2 at its lower end, a similar olea-inout TL-42, being preferably provided at the lowest front part.4

@ne great dillculty with the previous steam generator (Serial No. 656,496 now *Patente 1,553,699) has been its tendency to collect sediment rapidly and then oie course cause various troubles and dangers and cease to operate. by providing a generator made up ot pipes and in a circuit withthe water entering lat lone end and leaving as steam at the opposite end, so that a swift iiow is induced and a constant circulation and hence the seciment cannot lodge in quantity. The entire Vpipe syst m is so positioned and built as to tendV to drain to the points al orcla or both.

-sthe water enters the hot-air chamber it is given a preliminary heating by being caused to traverse thelengtli ot the chamber before Y entering the generator so that'it is' already hot when it-enters the inlet end 3G ci the steam generator. This economizes. heating current. Preferably also this water-supplying pipe is inclined torward and downward, partly for proximity lto the heater' but chietly to provide -a water pocket and stronger barrier against asudden bach Vflow of steam in the wrong direction. rlhe iiilete-nd 3 is a trifle lower where the water enters so` as to facilitate the flow ot steam upward,

@or in other words the bubbles ot steam yDI readily travel rearward along the pipes without tendency to blow out the water. ln

vthe previous construction of ljatent 1,558,-

699 there was a liability to rush the water in a flood all out of the boiler and then a comparatively small amount ot' water, too Small for `the requirements of the reservoir, would occupyy the boiler and being ccnverted into steam would cut o the intended tree entranceo more water, atleast in t-lie amount needed. This was aggravated by theifactfthat the water entered the boiler l obviate all these diliicult-ies` -collected water and so as to deliver the same end from which the steamr lett. My construction insures the even, unidirectional flow ot both water and steam, retards the tendency to blow or rush the water along with the steam, and assures a steadier and more even flow ot v.vaterto the apparatus. Moreover the"y inlet end 30 'is thecool or vcooler end, being arranged to. admit the water at a point somewhat away from the rdirect impact oi' the radiant heat, the water vinlet to the header V30 and the adjacent end ot the generator 24 being' located beyond theV direct and intense influence ofthe unit 25. `By inclining the heating unity the heat tends to llow upward and rearward, accelerating' the heating eiiiciency ci steam flow f and production and providing the desired higher dry heat around the reservoir rather than around the worn-basin, where a lower heat is preferable. The purpose oi the stillv greater or steeperl incline 'oi' 'the pipes 32 'to a relatively upright 1iesition is to check any rush of water and cause it to How back, so that even at the startet the apparatus there is very little water'actually pushed up with the steam, and is to Afurther constitute a water equalizing space to cooperate with the automatic water'level supply (10, 11,112, etc.) inaiding in maintaining .the desired water level in the generator. rlllhis -equalizing space and the Vgenerally 'inclined position of ythe genen ator obviate the nicetyy or ineness of ladjustment previously Vnecessary in the ycup ll. The pipes 32 being relatively small` endstill iiurther'to throttle or retard any sudden uprush ot water at the start. But any water that might be pushed up by a vsudden expansion and rush ot' steam is caught by the large pipe also any condensation when the machine'is i'irst started and all runs baci: to the inlet pipe. 'lfhe pipes 32 are not opposite the discharge pipes 34 and hence any actual water from the tormer"sprays against the opposite wall ot the collector pipe and then flows nat Y illy down its inclined length to the outlet pipe 3 rEhe pipes 32 preferably enter the pipe 33 above the bottoni as viewed Fia'. l

and project appreciably so as not to i tere with the tree flow downward et any ready full of filler. My construction obviates this. There is no forward flooding at the start and no rearward blowing out, and there is good heat distribution. A further feature of my invention consists of a heat distribution plate 43 clamped rigidly in place by any suit-able means as a clamping bolt and bar 44. This prevents burning on the bottom, permits higher heat with safety, and being inclined cooperates with the inclined heating unit to promote the rapid rearward heat circulation previously mentioned. Holes 45 let in suflicient air to aid in t-his circulation. An asbestos cement bottom 46 is preferably provided. Also as this machine is operated at a high heat so that the upper end of the inclosure for the hot air space 6` would be liable to burn the operators hands, I provide a special rim construction shown as a half round rim 47 secured at its ends or at least at its corners 48 by any suitable means as by being sweated in place or soldered or riveted and thence sprung across the front away from the adjacent metal as shown in Fig. 1 so as to form an air space 49 for the free circulation vof external air backward or forward beneath said rim, thereby keeping the same sufficiently cool -to constitutev a protector for the workman. A usual slide door 50 closes the front of the reservoir being operated by a handle 51 and provided with a latch 52 to catch over the projecting` upper edge 53 of the upper part 54 of said slide door and to operate as described in said` last mentioned application. rlhe reservoir is closed by a cover 5 5 hinged at 56 to swing back against a stop 57. VThe fluesv 3 have a protector or guard strip 58 to prevent the operator accidently injuring the lues with his knife or spatula in the normal use of the machine.' A relatively large opening and a removable plate or door 59 at the back a'ords access to the steam generator and pipingand for the removal or insertion of the latter. And for convenience of separate disconnection, cleaning, independent replacement, etc.,I provide unions or couplings 60, 61, 62. F or example if one of the pipes of the generator 24 gets stopped or cracks it may be separately removed by simply disconnecting its coupling 61 and ythen unscrewing the pipe from the header 30. After cleaning it, the pipe is readily put back again in the same manner.

In use the tank 9 having been swung over on its pivot 13 and lilled at 90 with water is closed by cap 91 and turned back and the pet cock 12 opened which lls the boiler orsteam generator 24 to the level determined by the air pipe 10 and thereuponV the current is turned on atv high and the water in the boiler is quickly turned into steam. Because of the'pipe construction and the inclined position of the parts very little if any adjustment of the water tank`9 is required in first setting up the machine, as the water circulation is continuous and free because i steam to flow or drive backward, and this.

will tend to compel the steam to go inthe opposite or upward direction, which because of the inclined arrangement of the steam generator is the natural and intended direction of steam discharge. As, however, the steam meets the considerably inclined or oblique and reduced-size pipes 32 any water which is being carried along or pushed along with the steamreceives a physical check andy tendsto stop and flow backward into the boiler proper. But if any water or condensation shouldV get up into the steam distributor and water collector' pipe 33 it will naturally flow Vdown as indicated in Fig. 4 and out through the pipe 38 and back into the delivery pipe 22. Upon first starting the machine it is probable that more or less water keeps up this circuit until the whole machine gets thoroughly hot and the filler which has been placed in the filler container or reservoir 2/ gets melted and thoroughly permeated with the heat and steam. The steam is discharged from the distributor 33 through thel nozzles 34 into the corresponding plurality of flues or heat radiators 3 provided therefor and said steam escapes at the front lower ends of said lines into the bottom portion of the filler mass, tending to make the latter loosen and drop downward by the melting disintegration and gravity. As soon as the filler has become suiiiciently softened, usually requiring only a few moments, the operator raises the slide door 50 as far as desired and pokes out into the work-basin such an amount as he requires forimmediate use and'proceeds to fill the shoe-bottoms in the usual manner.

It is `desirable that all portions of the machine shall be reasonably hot but the reservoir and rear portion of the machine should be the hottest and this is brought about largely by the interposition of a heat distribution plate 43 which prevents the heat goingstraight up yfrom the unit 24 so as'to strike directly against the bottom of the lwork-basin and reservoir and causes the heat to gather around the individual pipes of the boiler 24 and mostly follow lengthwise of the latter towards the rear, some of the heatv limited in all respectsto lfor giving auniform heat directly to the bottoms of the Work-basin and reservoir While at the saine time preventing any locale ized heat in any, one or vmore spots which irouldrinevitably tend to burn-the fillerandy ruin the said bottom.

As already stated,y my

the precise coinM bin'ation and embodiment y YThat claim is: y A

l. In a machine of the kind described, the

combination with a filler softening reservoir iov adapted 'to handle shoe-bottom iiller which prior to' use is normally eelt-sustaining but sluggishly HHuid under moderate heat, otva heating unit or y, source ot heat, a closedY steam generator in the intluence of said unit, said generator being formed of sepaf rated pipes arranged to compel rcirculation and V'independently removable, and means 'for delivering the steam from said generator into kthe filler Within said reservoir:

3j n a machine of the lrind described, the combination with a iller softening reservoir adapted to handle shoe-bottom iiller which prior to use is normally self-sustaining but `sluggishly fluid under moderate heat, lot al heating unit'or source oit heat, a closed steam generator in the influence ot' said unit,

said generator being'iiorined ot separated pipes, an upwardly inclined pipe outlet for f thesteam adaptedto retard V'an upward-flood of Water, and means for deliveringl the steam from said generator into the filler Within Y said reseiaioir.

e. In a machine kot' the rind described, the

combination Witha filler softening reservoir Cal adapted to handle shoe-bottom filler which Aprior to use is normally eelt-sustaining .buty

. sluggishly tluid under moderate heat, of a heating unit or source'l'oiI heat, a closed steam generator inthe influence orC said unit, said generator being formed of separated pipes, an upwardly kinclined pipe outlet tor each ot said separate pipes for the-delivery of steam and adapted to retard an upward iood of Water, and means for delivering the steam from said generator'into thefiller within said reservoir.v 7

invent-ion is not shown, but is caf, pable oil a Wide range ot einbcdiments, comey rbinatioiis and siibconibinations as will be Vmore evident ji'rom the claims hereinafter contained.

5. In agmacliiiie ofthe kindfdescribed, the combination; with fa filler Vsoftening Vreservoir adapted. toliandle shoe-bottom filler Which prior to lusefis normally sel'lsustaining' but sluggishly fluidunder` moderate'. heat, oi a heating unit or source oit heat, a closedv steam geiierator'in the iiiiuenceof said unit, said generator being formed lof separable pipeaanup'wardlj; inclined pipe outlet for the steam adapted to .retard a forward flood of Water, said incl-ined pipebeing made in two,` parts separately coupled to'- permit of independent y removal land inspection Without'V `removing the pipes of rthe generator, Vand means tor delivering tliefsteain from said generator into theiiller Within 'sai d reservoir.'

G. In amachine ot the kindidescribed,the combination Awith a. liller softeningreservoir adaptedA toliaiidle shoe-bottom filler Which prior to useis normally self-sustaining but sluggishly fluid under moderate heat, of a heating unit or sourceV otY heat, a closed steam generator in the induence ot said unit, a steam discharge adjacent one( end ofsaidl generatorarraiiged toV deliver steam intorthe iiller Within said reservoir, and,A a Water supply entering at the vopposite end of said generator in cooperation with the steam` production and discharge to produce in normalV operation a. unidirectional flow oty both the water and steam. l f f In a machine lof the kind described, the

combination with a liller,l sottening'reservoir,

adapted to handle shoe-bottom'filler'Which K prior to'use is normally self-sustaining but 'sluggishly fluid under moderate heat, of a heating. unit. or source of heat, a closed steam generator in the inliuence of said unit, asteam ldischarge adjacent one end of said generator arranged to deliver steam into the filler Within saidreservoir, and a Water supply entering at the opposite end of said generator in cooperationiwitli the steam production and discharge to produce in normal operation a unidirectional flow of vboth the Water and steam, said inlet and the adjacent end of the generator being located out of vthe direct'and intense influence of said unit.

8,'ln a machine of the kind described, the combination with a filler softeningr reservoir adapted to Vhandle shoe-,bottom 'iller which prior to use is normally self-sustaining but sluggislily fluid under moderate heat, ot .a heating unit or source of heat, a closed steam generator in the influence of said unit, a steam discharge adjacent one end of said iio VVgenerator arranged to deliver steam into` the filler Within said reservoir, `anda Wat-er supply enteringat-the opposite end of said generator in cooperation with the steam production and discharge to produce in normal operation a unidirectional ioW of both the Water and steam, Vsaid generator being inclined slightlyupward from its Water inlet l end to facilitate the prompt and 'free flow and ascent of the steam andpromote a natural halting of thewater in the generator while being converted into steam.

9. In a machineof the kind described, the combination with a filler softening reservoir adaptedto handle shoe-bottom filler which prior to use is normally self-sustaining but sluggishly fluid under moderate heat, of a heating unit or source of heat, a closed steam generator in the influence of said unit, a steam discharge adjacent one end of said generator arranged to deliver steam into the iller within Asaid reservoir, and a water supply entering at the opposite end of said generator in cooperation with the steam production and discharge to produce in normal operation a unidirectional How of both the water and steam, and an overflow pipe at the steam end ot the generator for draining off surplus water.

10. In a machine of the kind described.r the combination with aIillersoftening reservoir adapted to handle shoe-bottom filler which prior to use is normally seltsustaining but sluggishly fluid under moderate heat, of

Aa heating unit or source ot heat, a closed 11. In a machine of the vkind described,

kthe combination with aiillery softening reservoir adapted to handle shoe-bottom tiller which prior to use isnormally self-sustaining but sluggishly fluid under moderate heat, of a heating unit or source of heat. a 'steam generator Vin the influence of said unit, a

^ water supply for delivering water to said generator, means for ldelivering steam from 4said generator into the iiller within said reservoir, and an overflow pipe opening from above the main water level of the generator for draining off surplus water and preventing' said water from interfering with the proper action ot the steam on the filler in the reservoir. i v v y '12. 'In a machine ofthe kind described, the combination with a filler softening'reser-V voir adapted Avto handle shoe-bottom filler which prior to use is normally self-sustainingbut sluggishly fluid under-moderate heat, of a heating unit or source of heat, a closed ysteam generator in the inliuence of said unit,

means for delivering steam from said generator into. the filler within said reservoir, means for dellvermg water into said generator for conversion into steam, and an over- V flow pipe extending above the normal water level oit said Generator for drainin off suri I s n n u f I plus water and preventingits being driven erator within theiiller in said reservoir,a`

portion of said generator being close to and substantially parallel to ysaid unit and more nearly levell than another Vportion of said generator, and said other portion of said generator extending at an angle to said morele'vel portion, to lcooperate with said automatic water levelY in providing a large range of water level capacity orthe generator inuse. o fi "-7 14. In a machine of the kind described, t-he combinationwith a, filler softening reservoir adapted tohandle shoe-bottom filler which prior to use is normally self-sustaining but sluggishly fluid undermoderate heat, of a heating unit-or source ot heat, a closed steam generator in the influence of said unit, means' 'for delivering steam from said generator into the filler in said reservoir, `and water withdrawing means operating in` connection with all the aforesaid for preventing water contained in said generator from being pushed or flooded along with said steam into the reservoir under severe driving heat of said unit. Y Y e Y v f 15. In a machine of the kind described., the combination with a filler softening'reservoir adapted to handle shoe-bottomliller which prior to use is normally self-sustainingV but .sluggishly vfluid lunder moderate heat, of a' heating unit or sourcevof heat, a 'closedsteam generator in the influence ot said unit, meansfor vdeliveringpsteam from saidgenerator into the fillery in. saidreservoir,; and an overflow pipe connecting into the discharge end of the generator between VllO the main steam `generating portion of the latter and the` steam dischargeend for withdrawing surplus water and preventing its being pushed or flooded along with the steam into the reservoir under severe driv- Ving heat of said unit. .4 c

16. In a machine of the kind described, the combination with a ller softening reser* voir adap-ted to handleshoe-bottom .filler which prior to use fis normally self-sustaining but Vsluggishly fluid` under moderate heat, o fa heating unit or.source ofheat,

a closed steam f JgeneratorVv inthe influenceofy said unit, a steam lilischarge'adjacent one end'of said generator arranged to deliver steam into the filler Within said reservoir,

- and a water supply "entering at lthe oppo- 'sitefendof vsaid generator, and 'an' overflow pipe connecting` intoflth'e discharge "end of the generator for withdrawing Surplus water .and ypreventing its being pushed or iijooded along with 'said steam into the,

reservoirrunder lsevere driving heat of said unit.

rz. InV a machined the kind described, the combination with a filler ysoftening resi Yerv'oir.adapted to handle shoe-bottom filler `which prior'touse'is normally yself-sustainingI but sluggishly `fluid under moderate fheat,fof a heating unit or sourceof heat,

a 'closed 'steam .generator in the influence of saidV unit, `a vsteam 'discharge adjacent one end of said generator arranged to de liver steam into the filler/within said'res ervoir, and a water supply 'entering' at the opposite endoi said generator, and an overi'low pipe connecting into the discharge end of the generator, and thence back into said water` supply for withdrawing surplus water from lthe generator.'

18. In a machine of the kind described,

v neatlithe reservoir and above said unit, and

a heat dis 'tribution plate located between `the vgenerator "and the reservoir for Sp'rea ing and equalizing the heat on the bottom "of the reservoir. Y

19. In a machine oi the kind describe-d, the combination with a Vfiller softening reservoir adapted to handleshoe-bottom `filler which prior to use 'is normally self-sustaining but y"sluggishly lfluid under moderate heat, .of a 'heating unit or source of heat, aV closed steam generator' in the influence or said unit, saidV 'generator -beingylo'cated beneath the reservoir ai'd above lsaid unit, and aljheat distribution 'plate vlocatedr between thejgenerator land the bottom-pf 'fthe reservoir for -`spiea'din'g and equ'ali'zinig' the I heat on the 'bottomi'of the reservoir,` said plate "having a slight air v'space between' it vand said bo'ttornf l i 20.In a machin-e of the kind described,

lfthe 'combination with afrller 'softening reservoir adapted to yhalfl'dle shoe-bottom .filler which Yprior to fuse is normally self-:sustaining but 'sluggishly 'fluid Vunder moderate heat, of yhea-ting unit or source 'of heat,

"a rinsed steam generator in ther-influencent said mint, said generator' being 'lofcat'edbeheath the reservoir and abovesaidfunit, and

' aI heat distribution plate Alocated between igezatvi the generator and the bottom of the reservoir 'for spreading ande'qualizing the' heat on the 'bottom of the reservoir, lsaid plate being spaced from said bottom a 'short distance and inclined upwardly toward the rear for promoting a rearward flow 'of the heat.

21. In a machine oit Athe kind described, the combination'` with a Filler.soitening'reau ervoir adapted to `handle shoe-bottom filler which prior tor use is normally self-sustaining but sluggishly iiuid Yunder modera-te heat, of a heating'unit or source of heat,

Va closed steam generator in the iniluencc ot said unit, said generator. andVY said unit being inclined. upwardly toward the rear for Causing higher heatingeiiiciency toward the rear than the front of the machine.

22. In a vmachine ofi the kind described, the combination with aV filler softeningres- Vervoir adapted to handle 'at high heat slicebottom iller which is normally rslowly penetrative by heat and liable to ,burn at high heat, of a heating unit orvsourec ofrheat forsoftening said filler, and means, includ-Y ing a water"` supply tank, for lsupplying moisture to the filler, said tank being pivotally-mounted to tip with relation to said reservoir.

23. In a machine of the kind4 described, the combination vwith a filler softening reservoir adapted to handle fat high heat shoebottom ller which is normally slowly pene-r trative by heat and l-iablertov burn at high heat, of a heating unit v'or sourceoi heat for n softening said `ller, a ,steam generator `inV the influence of said unit for facilitating the safe handling of said filler under said heat,

a Water rsupply tank for supplying wat-er to y said steam generator, and an automatic water level control and connections to said generator for automatically maintaining desired lwater supply to the generator'in aci cordance with the requirementsof the filler 1n the reservoir, including a waterseal cup, an an' pipe opening 'at one end in said cup normal water -leve l. and a water 'delivery Vfrom the tank into the cup. f l '24.y Ina machine 'of the kind ile vand at the other end in the 'tank above the n described, the v said steam generator, `and yan vautomatic water level `control and connections to'sair'tl'25 `,g'feneratorfor automatically maintaining vdea lsired water vsupply to the generator V:in ac- 4cordance with the requirements of the filler in the reservoir, including a water seal cup,..;

an air 'pipefopening'at one endin -'said lcup and at the other end in the tank above the norma-l Water level, anda manually controlled Water delivery from the tank into thc cup.

25. In a machine of the kind described, the combination with a filler softening reservoir adapted to handle at highheat shoebottom filler which is normally slowly penetrative by heat and liable to burn at highl heat, of a heating unit or source ofeheatffor softening said ller, a steam generator in the influence of said unit for facilitating the safe handling `of said filler under said heat, a Water supply tank for supplying Water to said steam generator, and an automatic Waterlevel control and connections to'said generator for automatically maintaining de`y lsired Water supply to the generator 1nl ac:-

Vsaid reservoir and having a top rim liable to become highly heated, and a protecting rim arranged to protect the top edge of said hot rim and having portions raised out of contact with the hot rim so as to permit a cooling flow of air beneath the same for the protection of the operator.

27. In a machine of the kind described, the combination with a filler softening reservoir adapted to handle shoe-bottom filler which prior to use is normally self-sustaining but sluggishly fluid under moderate heat, of a heating unit or source of heat, a closed steam generator in the influence of said unit, arranged to deliver steam into the filler in 28. In a machine of thekind described, the l combination with a filler softening reservoir adapted to handle shoe-bottom filler which prior to use is normally self-sustaining but ysluggishly {iuid under moderate heat, of a heating unit or source of heat, a closed steam generator in the influence of said unit, ar'- ranged to deliver steam into the filler in said reservoir, means to deliver Water into said generator, and an external clean out settling chamber connecting With said generator for collecting sediment from the generator.

29. In a machine of the kind described, the combination With a filler softening reservoir adapted to handle snee-bottom filler Which prior to use is normally self-snstaining but sluggishly Huid under moderate heat, of a heatingunit or source of heat, a closed steam generator in the influence of said unit, arranged to deliver steam into the filler in said reservoir, means to deliver Water into said generator, and a clean out settling chamber connecting with said generator eX- tendingdovvn from the Water inlet for eollecting sediment from theV generator.

v 30.*In a machine ofthe kind described, the combination with a filler softening reservoir adapted to handle shoe-bottom liller which prior to use is normally self-snstain-- ing but sluggishly fluid' imder moderate heat, of a heating unit or source of heat, a closed steam generator in the influence of said unit, arranged tol deliver steam int-o the filler in said reservoir, means to deliver Water into said generator, and a clean out settling chamber connecting With said generator extending down from the lowest part of the reservoir for collecting sediment from l the generator. l

In testimony whereof, I have signed myv name to this specification. e

NORMAN J. WESTHAVVER.y 

